  BeefTalk:
Your Feedlot Game Plan -- Is It Responsive to Your Situation?
By Kris Ringwall, Extension Beef Specialist,
NDSU Extension Service
Since starting the BeefTalk column 34 weeks ago, I have received many
comments regarding the information presented. The original intent of the column
was to encourage people to think, debate or just plain ponder different
activities within the beef industry. While time and space precludes personalized
responses, there was one comment that was especially interesting and I think
needs further discussion.
Vern Anderson, an animal scientist with North Dakota State University, shared
feed cost data collected at the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center in
eastern North Dakota. He provided the data in response to a column that included
feed cost data for feedlot cattle from the Dickinson Research Extension Center
that were fed out of state. Dr. Anderson’s response is especially valuable
because it is in comparative numbers that are in the language of the feedlot
industry.
The Carrington numbers were benchmarks for that herd — factual numbers and
performance of feedlot cattle here in North Dakota. In addition to the
performance data from the NDSU Dickinson Research Extension Center, the
Carrington data gives us another set of benchmarks and another perspective. That
is why I appreciated his comments. Those comments follow:
"The Carrington Research Extension Center has fed cattle for several
years in North Dakota. In general, in the past 6 years, 13 sets of cattle have
been finished, accounting for 1,381 head. The cattle averaged 3.53 pounds per
day from weaning or arrival to slaughter and converted at 6.38 pounds of dry
matter consumed per pound of live weight gain. At current feed costs in North
Dakota of approximately $62 per ton for finishing diets, the feed cost per pound
of gain calculates to approximately 23 cents per pound for the 1,381 head
average. In comparison to the Dickinson Research Extension Center’s steers, at
4.07 pounds gain, feed costs were just over 37 cents per pound. Clearly, there’s
a strategic advantage for feeding in North Dakota."
These comments, focusing on the bottom line, encourages producers to make
decisions based on factual data, and not gut feeling. The beef industry, even in
North Dakota, is a very large industry with many segments. BeefTalk touches upon
those segments, with many different responses, ultimately encouraging producers
to do their own pencil pushing. What works in Dickinson or Carrington may not
work on your farm, but data from those locations may help you think critically
about your own enterprises.
Producers need to talk numbers--real numbers--and be open to discussion,
comment or thought. BeefTalk articles are not a promotion but a discourse, a
conversation on what is happening and relevant to today’s decision making
process.
The Dickinson Research Extension Center is obviously used as the backdrop for
these columns, but seldom does any article contain an answer that is pertinent
to all cattle producers. BeefTalk is designed to trigger a thought process from
which individual producers can gain the knowledge to make decisions. The value
of numbers, such as those provided for feed costs, should aid each individual in
reaching a decision through comparing their own numbers with benchmark values.
It is especially important to remember there are several variables, each with
benchmark comparisons, that are required to make a complete well-informed
decision. As in this case, total feed lot costs (fixed and variable costs) and
the value of the carcass will actually determine feed lot profit or loss.
In football, the plays change based on which yard line the ball is on and who
has possession of the ball. The game plan, however, remains relatively steady.
The same is true in cattle feeding--you need to know the situation and adjust
accordingly.
In Dr. Anderson’s case, the CREC and the DREC cattle were performing and
converting feed similarly. The less expensive ration, developed here in North
Dakota, should have a positive impact on total costs. Each producer must make
that decision based on available inputs and outputs to the total operation.
Do you know your game plan, and if so, which yard line are you on? May you
find all your ear tags.
Your comments are always welcome at www.BeefTalk.com
For more information, contact the North Dakota Beef Cattle Improvement
Association, 1133 State Avenue, Dickinson, ND 58601 or go to www.CHAPS2000.COM
on the Internet. In correspondence about this column, refer to BT0035.
###
Source: Kris Ringwall, (701) 483-2045, kringwal@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu
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